Synchronization in a flexible bandwidth wireless network

ABSTRACT

In a wireless network, a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal are sent at a predetermined bandwidth in a transmission. The predetermined bandwidth is a lowest operating bandwidth of the wireless network. Data is also sent in the transmission using an operating bandwidth greater than the lowest operating bandwidth.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/787,115 filed Mar. 6, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,247,511on Jan. 26, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/960,774 filed Dec. 6, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,396,079 on Mar. 12, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/033,824 filed Feb. 19, 2008, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,848,353 on Dec. 7, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/293,635 filed Nov. 13, 2002, which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,098 on Apr. 8, 2008, which claims the benefit ofUnited Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. GB 0127319.2 filed Nov. 14,2001, the entire contents of which are all hereby expressly incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to digital communication systems, andparticularly to synchronisation in digital communication systems such aswireless cellular communication systems. The invention finds particularapplication in modern digital wireless communication to systems such asUniversal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS).

BACKGROUND

it is known that synchronisation is an essential procedure in a moderndigital communication system. It is the procedure used by a remote unit(often referred to as User Equipment, UE, in UMTS or Customer PremisesEquipment, CPE) to identify valid transmissions from infrastructureequipment (often referred to as Node Bs in UMTS) and align the remotefrequency reference and timing to that used by the infrastructure.

UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) Time Division Duplex (TDD) andFrequency Division Duplex (FDD) modes both provide a synchronisationchannel (SCH) that is used by the UE to search for valid signals andperform the synchronisation procedure. The SCH transmission consists ofone real valued Primary Synchronisation Code (PSC) and three complexSecondary Synchronisation Codes (SSC), all of length 256 chips. The PSCis common for all Node Bs, but the SSCs are Node B specific. The PSC andSSC are transmitted simultaneously from a given Node B at a specificfixed time offset (t_(offset)) from the start of time slot 0. The timeoffset is included to prevent the possible capture effect that wouldotherwise occur as a consequence of all Node Bs transmitting the commonprimary code at the same time.

The UE uses the PSC to search for and identify transmissions from NodeBs. The PSC is also used as a reference from which the UE is able togenerate a correction that can be used to correct the frequency of theUE's reference oscillator. The SSC is included to signal the additionalinformation required by the UE in order to achieve the full time-alignedsynchronization and also to begin to demodulate system informationbroadcast on the Broadcast Channel (BCH) which is carried by the PrimaryCommon Control Physical Channel P-CCPCH.

For single chip-rate systems where the chip rate used by the Node B andthe UE is predetermined by the system design, the synchronizationprocedure briefly outlined above is sufficiently complete.

However, considering a network where multi-chip rates are supported, inan initial start-up condition, the UE will not be aware of the chip ratethat is available; therefore, the receiver in the UE is unable to selectthe correct chip-rate.

In some known systems such as those using fixed line modems, theavailable bandwidth is negotiated in the initial data transfers betweensender and receiver. This is done at a predetermined fixed rate, usuallydetermined by the system design or backwards compatibility with earlyimplementations.

Other possible schemes might transmit the whole timeslot in which SCHbursts are transmitted at the lower chip-rate (note that for a UMTS TDDsystem, the SCH is transmitted in every radio frame).

A plurality of subscriber terminals (or user equipment (UE) in UMTSnomenclature) 112, 114, 116 communicate over radio links 118, 119, 120with a plurality of base transceiver stations, referred to under UMTSterminology as Node-Bs, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132. The systemcomprises many other UEs and Node Bs, which for clarity purposes are notshown.

The wireless communication system, sometimes referred to as a NetworkOperator's Network Domain, is connected to an external network 134, forexample the Internet. The Network Operator's Network Domain includes:

-   -   (i) A core network, namely at least one Gateway GPRS Support        Node (GGSN) 144 and or at least one Serving GPRS Support Nodes        (SGSN); and    -   (ii) An access network, namely:    -   (ai) a GPRS (or UMTS) Radio network controller (RNC) 136-140; or    -   (aii) Base Site Controller (BSC) in a GSM system and/or    -   (bi) a GPRS (or UMTS) Node B 122-132; or    -   (bii) a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a GSM system.

The GGSN/SGSN 144 is responsible for GPRS (or UMTS) interfacing with aPublic Switched Data Network (PSDN) such as the Internet 134 or a PublicSwitched. Telephone Network (PSTN) 134. A SGSN 144 performs a routingand tunnelling function for traffic within say, a GPRS core network,whilst a GGSN 144 links to external.

However, the above known fixed initial rate negotiation scheme and theother possible schemes have the disadvantage that they are inefficient.

A need therefore exists for a synchronisation scheme for multi-ratecommunication wherein the abovementioned disadvantage may be alleviated.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method, for synchronisation in a multi-rate communicationsystem, the method comprising:

receiving a signal having a synchronisation portion at a first,predetermined chip rate and containing an indication of chip rate usedfor a further portion; and

recovering the indication from the synchronisation portion at the first,predetermined chip rate; and

recovering information in the further portion at the chip rate indicatedby the indication.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method, for synchronisation in a multi-rate communicationsystem, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal having a synchronisation portion at a first,predetermined chip rate and containing an indication of chip rate usedfor a further portion,

whereby the indication may be recovered from the synchronisation portionat the first, predetermined chip rate; and information in the furtherportion may be recovered at the chip rate indicated by the indication.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a multi-rate communication system comprising:

a transmitter having means for transmitting a signal having asynchronisation portion at a first, predetermined chip rate andcontaining an indication of chip rate used for a further portion;

a receiver having

means for receiving the transmitted signal,

means for recovering the indication from the synchronisation portion atthe first, predetermined chip rate, and

means for recovering information in the further portion at the chip rateindicated by the indication.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a communication unit, for use in a multi-rate communicationsystem, the communication unit comprising:

means for receiving a signal having a synchronisation portion at afirst, predetermined chip rate and containing an indication of chip rateused for a further portion;

means for recovering the indication from the synchronisation portion atthe first, predetermined chip rate; and

means for recovering information in the further portion at the chip rateindicated by the indication.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a communication unit, for use in a multi-rate communicationsystem, the communication unit comprising:

means for transmitting a signal having a synchronisation portion at afirst, predetermined chip rate and containing an indication of chip rateused for a further portion,

whereby the indication may be recovered from the synchronisation portionat the first, predetermined chip rate; and information in the furtherportion may be recovered at the chip rate indicated by the indication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

One method, communication unit and communication system forsynchronisation for multi-rate communication incorporating the presentinvention will now be described, by way of example only, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system that canbe adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication unit that canbe adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show block schematic diagrams illustrating SCHtransmission and reception in a single chip rate system incorporatingthe invention; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show block schematic diagrams illustrating SCHtransmission and reception in a multi chip-rate system incorporating theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, a multi-rate cellular-based wireless telephonecommunication system 100 is shown in outline, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the cellular-basedtelephone communication system 100 is compliant with, and containsnetwork elements capable of operating over, a UMTS air-interface. Inparticular, the invention relates to the Third Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) specification for wide-band code-division multiple access(WCDMA) standard relating to the UTRAN Radio Interface (described in the3G TS 25.xxx series of specifications).

A plurality of subscriber terminals (or user equipment (UE) in UMTSnomenclature) 112, 114, 116 communicate over radio links 118, 119, 120with a plurality of base transceiver stations, referred to under UMTSterminology as Node-Bs, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132. The systemcomprises many other UEs and Node Bs, which for clarity purposes are notshown.

The wireless communication system, sometimes referred to as a NetworkOperator's Network Domain, is connected to an external network 134, forexample the Internet. The Network Operator's Network Domain includes:

-   -   (i) A core network, namely at least one Gateway GPRS Support        Node (GGSN) 144 and or at least one Serving GPRS Support Nodes        (SGSN); and    -   (ii) An access network, namely:    -   (ai) a GPRS (or UMTS) Radio network controller (RNC) 136-140; or    -   (aii) Base Site Controller (BSC) in a GSM system and/or    -   (bi) a GPRS (or UMTS) Node B 122-132; or    -   (bii) a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a GSM system.

The GGSN/SGSN 144 is responsible for GPRS (or UMTS) interfacing with aPublic Switched Data Network (PSDN) such as the Internet 134 or a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) 134. A SGSN 144 performs a routing andtunnelling function for traffic within say, a GPRS core network, whilsta GGSN 144 links to external packet networks, in this case onesaccessing the GPRS mode of the system.

The Node-Bs 122-132 are connected to external networks, through basestation controllers, referred to under UMTS terminology as Radio NetworkController stations (RNC), including the RNCs 136, 13B, 140 and mobileswitching centres (MSCs), such as MSC 142 (the others are, for claritypurposes, not shown) and SGSN 144 (the others are, for clarity purposes,not shown).

Each Node-B 122-132 contains one or more transceiver units andcommunicates with the rest of the cell-based system infrastructure viaan I_(ub) interface, as defined in the UMTS specification. Each RNC136-140 may control one or more Node-Bs 122-132. Each MSC 142 provides agateway to the external network 134. The Operations and ManagementCentre (OMC) 146 is operably connected to RNCs 136-140 and Node-Bs122-132 (shown only with respect to Node-B 126 for clarity). The OMC 146administers and manages sections of the cellular telephone communicationsystem 100, as is understood by those skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one UE 112, 114,and 116 and at least one Node-B 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 havebeen adapted, to offer, and provide for, transmission, reception andprocessing of multi-rate high-speed signals generated in accordance withthe approach discussed in detail below.

More particularly, in this embodiment the above elements have beenadapted to implement the present invention in both transmitting andreceiving modes of operation, such that in this embodiment the inventionmay be applied to both down-link and up-link transmissions.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention that suchadaptation of the physical layer (air-interface) elements mayalternatively be controlled, implemented in full or implemented in partby adapting any other suitable part of the communication system 100. Forexample, equivalent parts in other types of systems may, in somecircumstances, be adapted to provide some or all of the digitalfiltering implementation provided in this embodiment.

Further, in the case of other network infrastructures, implementation ofthe processing operations may be performed at any appropriate node suchas any other appropriate type of base station, base station controller,etc.

Alternatively the aforementioned digital filtering operations may becarried out by various components distributed at different locations orentities within any suitable network or system.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention is described withreference to a wireless communication system employing a UMTSair-interface, it is within the contemplation of the invention that theinventive concepts described herein can be applied to anymulti-bandwidth/multi-data rate communication system—fixed or wireless.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a communication unit 200,for example user equipment (UE) 112, adapted to support the inventiveconcepts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, isshown. However, it is within the contemplation of the invention that asimilar block diagram would apply to a Node B element, say Node B 122.Therefore, in the following description FIG. 2 is described such that italso encompasses an implementation of a Node B baseband processingcircuit, in broad principle, as would be appreciated by a person skilledin the art.

The UE 112 contains an antenna 202 preferably coupled to a duplex filteror circulator or switch 204 that provides isolation between receive andtransmit chains within UE 112.

The receiver chain includes scanning receiver front-end circuitry 206(effectively providing reception, filtering and intermediate or basebandfrequency conversion). The scanning front-end circuit 206 scans signaltransmissions from its associated Node B. The scanning front-end circuit206 is serially coupled to a signal processing function (processor,generally realised by a DSP) 208. The final receiver circuits are abaseband back-end circuit 209 operably coupled to a display unit 210, ifthe communication unit is a subscriber unit.

Alternatively, if the communication unit is a Node B, the final receivercircuits are a baseband back-end circuit 209 operably coupled to aninterface port 210, in order to forward the demodulated received signalto, say, a PC or a RNC.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiverchain, in particular the signal processing function 208, coupled to thescanning baseband back-end circuit 209, has been adapted for a receivingcommunication unit to receive and process multiple, high-speed signalsof varying bandwidths.

A controller 214 is operably coupled to the scanning front-end circuitry206 so that the receiver can calculate receive bit-error-rate (BER) orframe-error-rate (PER) or similar link-quality measurement data fromrecovered information via a received signal strength indication (RSSI)212 function. The RSSI 212 function is operably coupled to the scanningfront-end circuit 206. A memory device 216 in the controller 214 storesa wide array of UE-specific data, such as decoding/encoding functions,timing details, neighbour and serving cell information relating totiming, channels, power control and the like, as well as link qualitymeasurement information to enable an optimal communication link to beselected.

A timer 218 is operably coupled to the controller 214 to control thetiming of operations, namely the transmission or reception oftime-dependent signals, within the UE 112.

In the context of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,timer 218 is used to synchronize the timing of the receivingcommunication unit 200 to be able to switch between two or more filterconfigurations, as will be described below, as well as to co-ordinateappropriate clocking of signals throughout the receiver.

For completeness, in broad terms, the transmit chain of thecommunication unit (either a UE or Node B) essentially includes an inputdevice 220, coupled in series through the processor 208,transmitter/modulation circuitry 222 and a power amplifier 224. Theprocessor 208, transmitter/modulation circuitry 222 and the poweramplifier 224 are operationally responsive to the controller 214, withan output from the power amplifier coupled to the duplex filter orcirculator 204, as known in the art.

The signal processor function 208 in the transmit chain may beimplemented as distinct from the processor in the receive chain.Alternatively, a single processor 208 may be used to implementprocessing of both transmit and receive signals, as shown in FIG. 2.

Of course, it will be understood that the various components within thecommunication unit 200 can be realised in discrete or integratedcomponent form, with an ultimate structure therefore being merely anarbitrary selection.

More generally, the digital filtering algorithms associated with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in arespective communication unit in any suitable manner. For example, newapparatus may be added to a conventional communication unit (for exampleUE 112, or Node B 122), or alternatively existing parts of aconventional communication unit may be adapted, for example byreprogramming one or more processors therein. As such the requiredadaptation may be implemented in the form of processor-implementableinstructions stored on a storage medium or data carrier, such as afloppy disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM or any combination of these or otherstorage multimedia.

This invention, at least in a preferred form, implements a scheme wherethe SCH channel in the UTRA air-interface is transmitted at the lowestchip-rate supported by the system design. Note that only the SCH channelis always transmitted at the lower chip rate.

As the SCH is transmitted at the lower chip rate, the receiving UE willby default, select the receiver bandwidth appropriate to this lowerchip-rate. In this configuration, the UE will be able to recover theSCH, irrespective of the chip rate used at the transmitting Node B.

The modulation of data onto the secondary SCH defined by the UTRAstandard does not use all of the degrees of freedom available in themodulation scheme. Therefore, the mapping of the synchronisationspecific data on to the SSC can be expanded to allow the additionalsignalling of the transmitting Node B chip rate to be added (see GBpatent application no. 0122109.2, filed on 13 Sep. 2001 by the sameapplicant as the present application and entitled “ENCODER AND METHODFOR EFFICIENT SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL ENCODING IN UTRA TDD MODE”, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference).

Simplified diagrams of the single chip-rate implementation of apreferred embodiment of the invention are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In this example, the SCH is treated identically to the rest of the databurst. That is, the SCH is processed by the same transmit and receivefilters as the physical channels used to transport the informationhaving the same chip rate.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3A, in the transmit path of the transmitting NodeB combiner 310 combines SCH information 320 with the appropriate databurst construct 330. The resultant data burst containing the SCHinformation is filtered in the digital low-pass transmit filter 340(which may, for example, be of the ‘root-raised cosine’ type). Theanalogue section 350 of the transmitter is set to the bandwidth(narrowest) appropriate for the lowest chip rate, and the data burst ispassed to the antenna for transmission.

Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the receive path of thereceiving UE the analogue section 360 of the receiver is set to thebandwidth (narrowest) appropriate for the lowest chip rate, and performsinitial filtering of the data burst received at the antenna. The outputof the analogue section 360 is then filtered in the digital low-passreceive filter 370 (which may, like the digital transmit filter 340, beof the ‘root-raised cosine’ type). The output of the digital low-passreceive filter 370 is processed to recover the SCH information and (aswill be explained in greater detail below) to decode the system chiprate information therefrom (as depicted at 380). Since (in this singlechip rate case) the decoded system chip rate information does notindicate that the system chip rate is different than the chip rate usedfor the SCH information (i.e., it indicates that a single chip rate isused), the receive path digital filters remain configured for thesingle, lowest chip rate for subsequent processing of the data burst (asindicated at 390) and transport channel information as for the SCHinformation.

Referring now also to FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, in the case where a differentchip-rate is available for the physical channel that is used totransport data, it is necessary to provide different filters (or todifferently configure the filter(s)) for the SCH channel and thephysical channels used to transport the data. Such different filters, orre-configuration of the same filter(s), may be implemented as in GBpatent application no, 0118414.2, filed on 30 Jul. 2001 by the sameapplicant as the present application and entitled “DIGITAL FILTER FORMULTI-RATE COMMUNICATION”, the content of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Suppose the chip rate in a multi chip-rate system is given byf _(c) =nf _(b) ; n=1, . . . ,Nwhere f_(b) is the base chip rate and N is the number of available chiprates in the multi-chip rate system. When a UE is initialised it knows apriori that the chip-rate being used for the SCH is f_(b), but it doesnot know the system chip rate being used, f_(c). In the Node Btransmitter, it is necessary to pass the SCH physical channel through afilter (typically a digital filter) optimised for f_(b). The physicalchannels transporting the data are filtered with a (digital) filteroptimised for f_(c). In the analogue section of the Node B transmitter,the filter bandwidth is always equal to f_(c).

In the receive section of the user equipment, the receiver bandwidth isset to f_(b) in both the analogue section and digital sections. In thisconfiguration, the physical channels with chip-rate f_(c) may suffersevere inter-symbol interference when f_(c)≠f_(b) However, the SCHphysical channel is received with minimal degradation. It is necessaryto use a bandwidth of f_(b) in the analogue filter and the digitalfilter in order to apply maximum attenuation to potentially high-poweradjacent channel interferers.

With a UE is in this configuration, it is possible to demodulate the SCHchannel and decode the data transported by the SSC to determine f_(c).When initial synchronisation has been achieved, the analogue and digitalfilters are set to f_(c).

FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C shows the receiver/transmitter implementation of thismulti-chip rate scheme.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the transmit path of the transmitting NodeB a combiner 310 combines SCH information 320 (filtered by a digitallow-pass filter 325 set to the low chip rate f_(b) so as to ensure thatthe SCH information can be recovered in the receiver by filtering atthis chip rate) with the appropriate data burst construct 330. The SCHinformation is encoded with the desired higher system chip rate f_(c),as explained in detail in the above-mentioned GB patent application no.0118414.2. The resultant data burst containing the SCH information isfiltered in the digital low-pass transmit filter 340 (now set for thedesired high chip rate f_(c)). The analogue section 350 of thetransmitter is set to a bandwidth (wider than in the case of FIG. 3A)appropriate for the higher chip rate, and the data burst is passed tothe antenna for transmission.

Correspondingly, in the receive path of the receiving UE, in a firststate, as shown in FIG. 4B, the analogue section 360 of the receiver isset to the bandwidth (narrowest) appropriate for the lowest chip rate,and performs initial filtering of the data burst received at theantenna. The output of the analogue section 360 is then filtered in thedigital low-pass receive filter 370. The output of the digital low-passreceive filter 370 is processed to recover the SCI information anddecode the system chip rate information therefrom. It will beappreciated that this initial stage of receive path processing issimilar to that shown and described above in relation to the singlechip-rate case shown in FIG. 3A. As will be explained further below, atthis stage (since the indicated system chip rate f_(c) is higher thanthe lowest chip rate f_(b) used for the SCH information) data burstprocessing is disabled (as indicated at 395).

In this multi chip-rate case, the system chip rate information decodedfrom the SCH information indicates the higher chip rate used fortransport channel information. Since this indicated system chip ratef_(c) is higher than the low chip rate f_(b) used for the SCHinformation, the receive path is then configured into a second state, asshown in FIG. 4C, in which the analogue section 360 and the digital lowpass receive filter 370 are set to bandwidths appropriate for the higherchip rate f_(c)

In this second state, in the receive path of the receiving UE theanalogue section 360 of the receiver performs (now at the higherbandwidth appropriate for the higher chip rate f_(c)) filtering of thesignals received at the antenna. The output of the analogue section 360is then filtered (now at the higher bandwidth appropriate for the higherchip rate f_(c)) in the digital low-pass receive filter 370. The outputof the digital low-pass receive filter 370 is then processed (i) torecover the data burst information (now enabled, as depicted at 390) andtransport channel information at the higher chip rate, and (ii) tofurther process (after filtering by a digital low-pass filter 385 set tothe low chip rate f_(b) so as to ensure that the SCH information can berecovered in the receiver by filtering at this chip rate) the SCHinformation (as depicted at 380).

It will be understood that the method, communication unit andcommunication system for synchronisation for multi-rate communicationdescribed above provides improved efficiency in supporting multi-chiprates.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating bandwidth determination ina multi-bandwidth wireless cellular communication system, the methodcomprising: at a remote unit configured to receive wireless cellulartransmissions from a terrestrial base station: receiving a modulatedwaveform having a first portion at a first, predetermined bandwidth,containing a value identifying a particular operating bandwidth selectedfrom a plurality of operating bandwidths used for a further portion;recovering the value from the first portion at the first, predeterminedbandwidth; and recovering information in the further portion at theparticular operating bandwidth identified by the value, wherein thefirst, predetermined bandwidth is a width of a frequency band, whereinthe particular operating bandwidth identified by the value is a width ofa frequency band, and wherein the first, predetermined bandwidth isdifferent than the particular operating bandwidth identified by thevalue.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular operatingbandwidth identified by the value is greater than the first,predetermined bandwidth.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstportion of the modulated waveform comprises a primary synchronizationsignal and a secondary synchronization signal, and further comprisingsynchronizing to a timing in response to the primary synchronizationsignal.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the value identifying theparticular operating bandwidth is a chip rate.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the remote unit is configured as a wide-band code-divisionmultiple access (WCDMA) device, a time division duplex (TDD) device, ora Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) device.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein recovering the value comprises filtering thefirst signal portion by an analog filter having a bandpass operable withthe first, predetermined bandwidth, and wherein recovering informationin the further portion comprises: configuring the analog filter to abandpass operable with the particular operating bandwidth identified bythe value, and filtering the further portion by the analog filter havingthe bandpass operable with the particular operating bandwidth identifiedby the value.
 7. A communication unit configured to receive wirelesscellular transmissions from a terrestrial base station, thecommunication unit comprising: a receiver configured to: receive amodulated waveform having a first portion at a first, predeterminedbandwidth, containing a value identifying a particular operatingbandwidth selected from a plurality of operating bandwidths used for afurther portion, wherein both of the first, predetermined bandwidth andthe particular operating bandwidth identified by the value is a width ofa frequency band, and wherein the first, predetermined bandwidth isdifferent than the particular operating bandwidth identified by thevalue; recover the value from the first portion at the first,predetermined bandwidth; and recover information in the further portionat the particular operating bandwidth identified by the value.
 8. Thecommunication unit of claim 7, wherein the first, predeterminedbandwidth is a lowest operating bandwidth of the plurality of operatingbandwidths.
 9. The communication unit of claim 7, wherein the firstportion of the modulated waveform comprises a primary synchronizationsignal and a secondary synchronization signal, and wherein the receiveris configured to synchronize to a timing in response to the primarysynchronization signal.
 10. The communication unit of claim 7, whereinthe value identifying the particular operating bandwidth is a chip rate.11. The communication unit of claim 7, wherein the receiver comprises atleast one reconfigurable filter configured to recover the value from thefirst portion at the first, predetermined bandwidth and recover theinformation in the further portion at the particular operating bandwidthidentified by the value.
 12. The communication unit of claim 11, whereinthe at least one reconfigurable filter comprises an analog filter. 13.The communication unit of claim 7, wherein the communication unit isconfigured as a wide-band code-division multiple access (WCDMA) device,a time division duplex (TDD) device, or a Universal MobileTelecommunication Systems (UMTS) device.
 14. A terrestrial base stationconfigured to transmit wireless cellular transmissions to a remote unit,the terrestrial base station comprising: a transmitter configured tosend a modulated waveform having a first portion at a first,predetermined bandwidth, containing a value identifying a particularoperating bandwidth selected from a plurality of operating bandwidthsused for a further portion; wherein the value is recoverable from thefirst portion at the first, predetermined bandwidth and information inthe further portion is recoverable at the particular operating bandwidthidentified by the value; wherein the first, predetermined bandwidth is awidth of a frequency band; wherein the particular operating bandwidthidentified by the value is a width of a frequency band; and wherein thefirst, predetermined bandwidth is different than the particularoperating bandwidth identified by the value.
 15. The terrestrial basestation of claim 14, wherein the first, predetermined bandwidth is alowest operating bandwidth of the plurality of operating bandwidths. 16.The terrestrial base station of claim 14, wherein the first portion ofthe modulated waveform comprises a primary synchronization signal and asecondary synchronization signal.
 17. The terrestrial base station ofclaim 16, wherein the primary synchronization signal is sent at a firstfixed time offset and the secondary synchronization signal is sent at asecond fixed time offset.
 18. The terrestrial base station of claim 14,wherein the value identifying the particular operating bandwidth is achip rate.
 19. The terrestrial base station of claim 14, wherein theterrestrial base station is a Node B.
 20. The terrestrial base stationof claim 14, wherein the terrestrial base station is configured as awide-band code-division multiple access (WCDMA) device, a time divisionduplex (TDD) device, or a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems(UMTS) device.